The Cowboy's Baby

by Linda Ford

  After her initial surprise she leaned into him, wrapped her arms about his waist and returned his kiss.

  From somewhere deep inside he found the strength to slowly, reluctantly, ease back. He squeezed her shoulders and stepped away from her embrace. “Take good care of my Dorrie.”

  He rushed for escape before he weakened.

  But before he reached the handle, the door flew back and Lew stood in the opening, his pistol drawn.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Well, well. Ain’t this sweet?” The man’s voice had a sinister leer to it.

  Colby positioned himself between Lew and the other two. “I’m ready to go. My horse is outside. I’ll take you to the money.”

  “I do believe you will.”

  Colby edged forward, cautiouslike, so as not to make Lew consider doing something stupid.

  “Hold up there. What’s to stop this pretty little gal from running to the sheriff as soon as I leave?”

  It’s exactly what she should do. “She won’t. Will you, Anna?”

  “Not if you say I shouldn’t.”

  Good girl. Let’s lead him along.

  Lew snorted. “You don’t expect me to believe that, now do ya?”

  Lew could be way too smart sometimes. “You can trust her. After all, she’s the preacher’s daughter.”

  “Better she and the baby come along. Provide me a bit of insurance in case you think you can play me for the fool. Lady, pick up that baby and get yourself over here.”

  He waved the gun.

  Colby considered his options. He’d go for the gun but too risky with Dorrie and Anna so close. He’d have to trust God to provide an opportunity before they left town. “Do as he says, Anna.”

  He hoped she wouldn’t decide this was a good time to reveal her stubborn nature. He knew only momentary relief as she clutched Dorrie in her arms and headed for the door.

  Lew stepped aside and waved the three of them out.

  Colby tried to position himself between Lew and Anna, but Lew would have none of it. “Keep to one side.”

  “Just keep walking,” Colby murmured to Anna.

  “That’s right, lady. No funny stuff or someone dies.”

  Colby knew he would not fire his gun in town because it would bring people running to investigate. He prayed for an opening, for Lew to be careless just one second, but the man had unfaltering concentration when he wanted it. And right now with the hope of discovering a fake treasure, he had lots of reason to keep focused.

  Three horses were tied at the shed. Lew indicated they should head that way. They reached the mounts. “You first.” He shoved Anna forward.

  Colby saw at once that she couldn’t get in the saddle while holding Dorrie. He stepped forward to help and stopped as Lew’s gun bore down on him.

  “I’ll take the little sweetheart.”

  “No.” Anna jerked back. “I’ll not give her to you.” Before Colby could shout a warning, Anna turned on her heel and ran for all she was worth toward the church. He understood she hoped to reach shelter before Lew could stop her.

  “Fool woman.” Lew turned and steadied the gun on Anna.

  He intended to shoot her. Maybe Dorrie, too.

  “No.” Colby launched himself between Lew and Anna and made a few steps before as a shot rang out. The bullet caught him in his back, pushing him forward. But when he fell, he took Anna and Dorrie with him. At least he could protect them with his body.

  The pain turned the edges of his vision red but he was alive. For how long, he didn’t know. “Are you hurt?”

  “No.” Her words were muffled by the weight of his body but he wouldn’t have moved if he could. He was a shield for them.

  “Is Dorrie hurt?”

  Dorrie’s wail informed them she was at least alive.

  “Don’t move. Make him either come here or ride away.”

  Behind them Lew cursed. “Now see what you made me do.”

  Anna turned her head, tried to see him. “Are you shot?”

  “At least I could protect you and Dorrie. Now be quiet and lie still.” Every word thundered through his brain, every move she made drove the pain deeper.

  Footsteps thundered down the alley. Men called out. “It came from this direction.”

  Then more gunshots rang out.

  “I love you,” he managed to squeeze out, and then all went black.

  An explosive sound had made her ears ring. She was certain Lew had shot his gun. Her heart slammed into her ribs so hard she felt her ribs crack. Then Colby’s weight had hit her hard. Anna fell facedown to the ground, dirt filling her nose, dry grass scratching her cheeks, Dorrie clutched to her. Instinctively she’d shifted the baby to one side to protect her from Anna’s weight.

  She spat out dirt and grass. “I smell blood.” Metallic and sweet.

  Colby moaned, “He shot me.”

  Colby! Hurt. Panic swirled around her. Would the man shoot her, too? What about Dorrie? The child was pressed solidly to her side, pinned in place by Anna’s arm. She struggled to shift her arm, somehow protect Dorrie more but she couldn’t move and her aching ribs struggled for air.

  Colby’s ragged breath blew hot on her neck.

  She tried to squirm from under his weight.

  “Lie still. This here is the safest place you could be.” His words rumbled from his body, reverberated in her own.

  She stopped struggling.

  “I love you.” His words came on a whisper and then the weight of his body became intolerable.

  “Colby,” she whispered.

  He didn’t answer. She no longer felt his breath on her neck. Colby. Her fear crawled up her skin and pooled against her protesting ribs. “Don’t you dare die.”

  He loved her. Now was a fine time to say so. Why had he waited so long to speak the words?

  Would she have believed them any sooner? How could she be so blind not to see how much he loved her? He’d give his life for her. Yet she’d stubbornly refused to trust him. Demanded proof when she should have simply welcomed his return and believed him.

  And not just him.

  She’d found it so hard to trust God. Always she asked herself, would God take her loved ones, would He do what was best for her or was she simply there for the good of others?

  Colby was willing to die for her.

  Jesus had done so.

  Trust should be easier.

  It would be from here on.

  Colby? Was her trust too late? Hot tears scalded her face and muddied the ground until she lay in a puddle. Please, God, don’t let him die. Please. Now was the time to put her faith into action. I trust You to do what is best.

  More gunshots rang out. Anna cringed, fearing she would feel one thud into Colby’s inert body. She tried to pull Dorrie closer but the weight of Colby’s body made it impossible. She struggled to get in enough air to keep from blacking out.

  Then voices spoke above her. “Here, give me a hand.”

  Slowly, Colby’s body was lifted. Someone called, “Get the doc.”

  Another set of hands started to take Dorrie.

  Anna fought.

  “Let me take her.” It was Grace.

  She released her grip and Dorrie was lifted. She realized Dorrie was sobbing. How long had she been crying and Anna didn’t notice? Didn’t hear?

  She wanted to flip over but her limbs had no strength. Her lungs fought to get air. Someone gently turned her and helped her sit. “Father.” She buried her head against his chest and wailed. “I’ve been so stupid and blind.” It hurt her lungs to squeeze out the words.

  “Shush. Shush.” He patted her back, offering her comfort in a way he had never before. “You’ve just had a terrible shock.”

  She jerked from his arms. “Where is that man? Lew?” She glanced around, her eyes burning with dread. Was he still lurking about, waiting for a chance to finish this business between him and Colby?

  “He was shot trying to escape. He’s dead.”

  Anna trie
d to feel sorrow at a senseless death but felt only relief that he wouldn’t terrorize them again.

  “Colby?” She tried to get to her feet. Again her body would not do as she ordered. “Is he—?” She couldn’t say the word.

  “They’ve rushed him over to Doc’s place. He’ll do what he can.”

  “He’s still alive?” She had to know the truth.

  “I heard someone say he was breathing.”

  She moaned and fell back into Father’s arms. “Please pray he doesn’t die.”

  “Of course. I already am. Now let’s have a look at you. Are you injured?”

  “I’m fine.” Only it took Father on one side and Mr. Percy on the other for her to make it to the house. They helped her to her bedroom and left her to Grace’s care.

  Grace brought in water and tenderly washed Anna’s face. Anna lay with her eyes closed, too weak to even protest. At first, she wanted to, she should be looking after herself, then she relaxed. Time to stop trying to take care of everything. Not only did she need to trust God and Colby, she needed to let others help her more.

  “Thank God you and Dorrie aren’t injured. You have a few scratches and no doubt you’ll have bruises but nothing serious,” Grace said as she cleaned Anna’s hands.

  Anna tried not to flinch. Her palms must be scratched to hurt so. “Dorrie’s all right?”

  “I think she was more frightened than anything. Alex is home and he’s amusing her. I heard her laugh a few minutes ago.”

  She and Dorrie had gotten off easy. Unlike Colby. Tears washed her eyes and ran down each side of her face.

  Grace made a soothing noise and wiped them away. “Come here.” She reached for Anna, urging her into her embrace.

  Anna sat up and buried her face against the woman’s shoulder. Sobs racked her.

  “You go right ahead and have a good cry.”

  Anna cried like she hadn’t cried before. She wept for her fear and regrets over Colby. And her tears carried prayers that he would live, so she could tell him how much she loved him. How much she trusted him. With her life. But she cried for other things, too. Never had she been held and comforted since Rose died. She’d taken all her sorrow to the foot of the cross but now she let warm arms hold her and hot tears cleanse her. She cried until she was spent and Grace’s dress front soaked.

  “I’m sorry,” she mumbled, unable to meet Grace’s eyes. The woman must think she was a weak-kneed ninny. She almost smiled. She was certainly weak-kneed at the moment.

  Grace chuckled. “Woman-to-woman, let me tell you there is nothing like a weeping session to ease one’s emotions. Men don’t understand but we do.”

  Anna grinned, realizing just how right Grace was. She hadn’t felt so cleansed in a long time. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me. Thank God who gave us tears. Now you lie down and rest. I’ll take care of everything else.”

  She knew she wouldn’t sleep. She intended to stay awake and pray for Colby until she heard one way or the other. But she fell into a deep dreamless sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

  “Mama?”

  Tiny fingers brushed at her face. Anna yawned.

  “Dorrie, come away and let her sleep,” Alex whispered.

  “I’m awake.” She moaned. And remembered why everything hurt. She bolted to her feet. And swayed. Grace was right. She ached in places she didn’t know existed.

  “You sure you should be up?” Alex asked.

  “I’m fine.” But she sat on the edge of the bed and waited for the dizziness to pass. “Colby?”

  “Father,” Alex called. “She’s awake.”

  Father was to deliver the news? Fear crept into her throat and made it impossible to swallow. Father’s job was to deliver bad news.

  Dorrie wanted to be picked up, but Anna didn’t think she could lift her, so she patted the bed beside her. Dorrie climbed up and buried her face in Anna’s lap. Anna rubbed her back, finding comfort in her nearness. If Colby were gone she would have this sweet bit of him. She pressed her lips to hold back a cry. She didn’t want to lose Colby. She’d missed too many precious days already.

  Father appeared at the doorway. “How are you feeling?”

  “Sore but otherwise fine.” She clung to his kind gaze. “Tell me the truth. Is Colby—?”

  He sat beside Dorrie and took Anna’s hand. “He’s alive. But just barely. Doc isn’t hopeful.”

  Alive. That’s all that mattered. “Then we’ll have to ask God to help him.”

  Father turned her hand over and seemed to study the many scrapes and scratches. “We need to trust God to do what is best.”

  What was best was for Colby to live so they could enjoy their love. Raise Dorrie together. She fought an intense battle. She had a choice—trust God or wonder about His love. She’d wasted too much time letting God show His love in areas of her choosing, trusting Him when she got her way. She gripped Father’s hand and bowed her head. “Not my will but God’s,” she murmured.

  Father squeezed her shoulder and prayed, “Father, we ask that You see fit to heal Colby, bring him back to us, but in this, as we strive to do in all areas, we release him to You and trust Your good mercy and grace.”

  Anna sat quietly, her eyes still closed. Great peace filled her. Whatever God sent her way, He would also send the grace to deal with it. And if what He sent was Colby, she would never let another day pass without telling him she loved him.

  “Where is he?”

  “Doc kept him at his office until he can be moved.”

  “Who is caring for him?”

  “There seems no end to his friends wanting to help. Doc had to chase a bunch of them away. Said they were getting underfoot.”

  “I want to see him.”

  Father hesitated. “Are you up to it?”

  “He saved my life. I owe him. Besides…”

  Father smiled. “I understand your feelings.”

  She ducked her head, afraid he might see far more than gratitude.

  “I’ll take you to see him.”

  “Thank you. Is Grace here?”

  “Yes. She said she’ll be available as long as we need her.”

  “Give me a minute to tidy up and then I’ll be ready.”

  She was grateful the doctor’s office wasn’t any farther away. As it was, she welcomed the way Father tucked her hand around his arm and let her lean on him. The closer they got to their destination, the weaker her legs grew. No matter what happened, she would trust God—with her life, her future—but she ached with unshed tears as she tried to prepare herself for bad news.

  They reached Doc’s door. Father pushed it open.

  Anna stopped. She couldn’t step into the room. Couldn’t face the news.

  Father smiled. “No one has brought a message saying otherwise so I assume he is still fighting to live. Let’s go see.”

  She allowed him to draw her forward. They had to cross a small waiting room where two women sat. Anna was scarcely aware of them except that their murmurs of sympathy increased her tension. God help me. Be my strength and comfort.

  Doc, having heard the door open and close, stepped into the room, saw Anna and her father. “Come along. The young man is in here.”

  She somehow crossed the room, her feet numb, and clinging desperately to Father’s arm.

  “He’s lost a lot of blood.” Doc spoke with determination. “I had to dig deep for the bullet but he’s strong.”

  Then she saw him and stuffed a fist to her mouth to keep from crying out. He lay on a narrow black bed propped up on one side. A stark white sheet covered the lower half of his body. A huge white dressing wrapped around his right side.

  If Father hadn’t been holding her arm, she would have collapsed. He led her to a chair and she sank down.

  Slink had vacated the chair and hovered nearby. Tobias sat on the opposite side. He pushed to his feet, nodded politely. “We’ll be leaving you alone with him.” Both men slipped from the room.

  Anna re
ached out to touch the dressing. Thought better of it and instead took his hand as it lay motionless against the white sheet. “Colby, please get better.” Just the feel of his hand gave her courage. He was still alive. That was enough for now.

  She looked at his face. Younger-looking with all awareness at rest. And pale. Silently, she prayed for his recovery. Prayed she might get a chance to tell him of her love.

  As she sat beside him, she held those three little words he’d spoken—I love you—close to her heart. She clung to his hand as faithfully as she clung to hope. And in it all, she felt peace like the rock bed of her life. God would surely do what was best and she would trust Him no matter what.

  The hours trudged past as slow as a boy headed off to school on a sunny day. Yet each minute was a chance to see him improve.

  Several times Doc came in and checked Colby. He had Anna leave the room while he changed the dressing. Anna pressed him for information…hope. “All we can do is wait and pray.”

  She did both but waiting was the hardest thing she’d ever done.

  Slink and Tobias slipped in and out. As did others. Father left and returned. But she remained at Colby’s side.

  Sometime later, Father touched her shoulder. “Let me take you home.”

  “I can’t leave him.” If God granted nothing more than a moment more of his life, if he came to for even a fleeting moment, she intended to be there to tell him of her feelings.

  “You should rest.”

  “I will when he’s better. Would you mind putting Dorrie to bed?”

  “I’m sure we can manage.” He hesitated, sighed and headed for the door then paused.

  She knew he hoped she would change her mind. She couldn’t. “I’ll be fine. Doc is here. His friends come in continually.”

  Finally he left.

  She glanced around, realized there were no others in the room at the moment and rose to move closer to Colby. She touched his cheek, felt it only normally warm. Thank God. Infection was the worst thing to deal with. She curled her finger and ran it along his face, smiling at the way his whiskers rasped beneath her touch. Amazed at her boldness, she trailed a cautious fingertip across his lips, remembering with a mixture of pleasure and embarrassment how she had responded to his good-bye kiss, though she regretted it not a bit. It might end up being their last as well as their first kiss.